On Monday, May 13, 1969, at 2:30 A.M. a suspicious fire destroyed Carl’s Furniture Store in downtown Bradford. At 2:50 A. M. Captain Richard Keenan requested a general alarm and assistance from Bradford Township. Firefighters worked to save nearby buildings including the Clark Brothers factory, another three story building adjacent to Carl’s, and the Holly Hotel. A collapsing wall crashed through the roof of the factory causing $5,000 damage. Fire Captain Richard Keenan said he found a rear side door open with papers strewn on the floor. Bradford City Fire Chief Norman Rathfon said the fire probably started in or near the office, on the first floor towards the rear of the store. The fire caused an estimated $200,000 in damages to Carl’s. A state police fire marshal was requested to investigate the fire. The building was built in the early 1890’s and was owned by Carl Singer of Bradford.